Shoot Your Arrow

In the 1990 documentary “Paris Is Burning” by Jennie Livingston, the audience are presented with the seasoned drag queen Dorian Corey, who acts as a guide to the ballroom scene in America and imparts pearls of wisdom throughout the film. At the end of the movie, Corey talks about his dream of being a star and the idea of the dream.

I have always had hopes of being a star. I would watch the celebrities on TV talking about their work, their lives, and having everyone adore them, and picture myself receiving that sort of appraisal one day.

I no longer need that sense of being admired, however, I do occasionally feel bitter about how much work I put into my art and how little I get from this effort.

Will I become like Dorian Corey, left to reminisce for what might have been, or will I accept my life as it is?